On the Surface

Málaga

2012-02-05T21:56:00.003-05:00

new hair

2012-01-07T13:37:00.000-05:00

Hussien Chaylan ss 2012

2012-01-05T15:29:00.002-05:00

recently read an article in vanity fair about the devolution of culture. the claim is that there is nothing that distinctly characterizes this generations physical appearance. Fashion is based on past trends of various decades. Like Fashion is on some nostaligic rollercoaster, everything is all a hodgepodge of centuries past. The cause? Capitalism! If go out of style, Gap and Liz Claiborne, two huge companies who depend on peoples want of , goes broke and the economy is weakened. Technology is our history. We need to embrace it in all facets of life, just as this amazing fashion designer does in elevating his craft.

62nd and Market

2012-01-05T13:23:00.000-05:00

Broken down
Store Fronts.
Abandon houses
Nothing but
Satellite dishes.

MoMa

2011-12-08T23:41:00.000-05:00

If you ever feel uninspired, go to a museum.

sex and the city

2011-12-08T23:38:00.003-05:00

stay focused.

2011-11-15T01:15:00.000-05:00

gotta keep rollin.' i'm not slowin.

I love to play sex in the city. Doesn't matter what city

2011-10-24T13:49:00.003-04:00

I have several beaux, but no one to melt my heart. I may be about to fall in love madly without even being aware of his proximity. I´m surrrounded by love, anyway, and that´s what counts.

mas o menos

2011-10-01T10:36:00.004-04:00

Jazz in Madrid-a muscial orgasm

2011-10-01T10:13:00.003-04:00

I could be a famous singer one day-es posible

Riding the train from Madrid to Seville. I think I just saw a castle. I think it was Melissa’s Castle, because she is a true princess. I am the sweet heart. Jajaja…I had an amazing time in Madrid!! I can’t believe I met such beautiful and interesting people. Like none other in the world, my new friends are true diamonds. Hannah is a sweetie, just like me, and Pilar is the sun, my Amy Winehouse kitty cat found me, again. We listened to jazz and had an musical orgasm. I cannot forgot the best gentlemen from denmark I need to see again…in Denmark! I felt flushed with passionate love fever.

Milan Fashion Week Spring 2012

2011-09-25T12:47:00.001-04:00

We LOVE all these looks! So sultry and middle eastern inspired. Too many fierce models of color cat walking ...

London lush

2011-09-24T20:37:00.004-04:00

He was cute while he lasted, think his name was Zack? yo no se, pero verdad son One of my little London lushes. Stupid asshole lied about his occupation. Dude, I work in business. You can't lie to me. I'm a professional, sweetie.

Sweetie in Spain

2011-09-24T10:32:00.004-04:00

I've been gone for a minute now I'm back with the jumpoff...gotta love lil kim lol. Its only right to contribute to this blog as I travel through Spain. Es muy differente, but I still have random people calling me on my Spain phone..like thats what I was trying to get away from in the states. Anyways, I'm still on my tourist tip; which is weird because living in NY you give those people the stink face and get away fast. but here are some pictures, I think its safe to say that I'm the baddest of all the lands.

30 hours in DC

2011-09-23T22:51:00.001-04:00

DC Sunset

I received a call from my boss around 8pm on a Wednesday. I thought about hesitating to answer, since I called in sick that day. I mean, I was really fucked up. I don't know if it was the Gin & Tonics or the bad appetizers we had at Vango, but I must of vomited my insides out. Okay, too much information. However, I usually can GO. I just remember Genny and Zimy saying, " you ain't going to Punta Cana." And I, responding, " yea-ha!" Like a small child fighting off sleep. Anyways, back to the story, so I got this call from my boss asking to go to Washington DC for the Congressional Black Caucus Conference to help produce our evening show. My answer was a no-brainer. Of course! I've been wanting to go anyways. And, on duty? Makes me even more super legit. I arrived with my co-worker. We set up, scouted out guests, and broadcast a smooth live show from DC. It was a success. In the Exhibit Hall, I met this random Black guy named Catfish. He was selling art he bought and personally framed. It was some African-esque inspired art. I do not know if it was the ethnic smelling of his station or his positive aura, but I was intrigued by the conversation. He told me about the origin of his name. That he owned a catfish farm in Tennessee and his how wife use to fry up catfish, feeding the homeless through her good will in the backyard. She passed away. Now he lives in Chicago. His daughter, who's 26, owns some booming hair salon and Spa that caters to celebs. I must have talked to him for less than 10 minutes and got his whole life story. He told me I seemed older because of the way I articulated myself. Pretty random in this story, but, it's always nice to meet genuine people- even if you only encounter them once in your life.

After the conference, I met up with Vasilika, my real life Greek goddess friend, on G- Dub campus. What a shock! Going back to my old stomping grounds, I felt so out of place and the familiar faces I once use to see daily were erased by these new characters. Seemingly progressively prissier, and stout. There's even a new Whole Foods on campus. Really?! Just when I graduate... Later that night we went to Madhatters a.k.a weirdo central. As I was standing up against the wall, posted peeping out the scene, some bony dude spun twice towards me only to attempt dancing with me. I gave him the "get the hell away from me look" and he walked away unfazed, like he did that move often at silly bar scenes. Oh! and another guy, with no swag, short and pudgy, tried to dance up on me, and I totally gave him the "get the heck away" gesture. I sound like a total ass hole, but I don't sho guys away often like that. The gesture worked. It's like he walked into a live-wire because he got the picture and sca-dattled. I immediately started busting out laughing with Vasilika. She witnessed the whole thing. Come to think of it, we were both b-lining guys all night. We just wanted to dance. We're just living our lives. Then, to top it off, some pompous African guy came up to me (I anticipated I was going to get hit on by him) and said in my ear- as if it was something I was going to cream in my silk, " I don't date Black girls, but you're f**king hot. I'll make an exception." You know I gave him the stank eye! He was wrong on some many levels! From that point on, I remembered why I don't mess with DC dudes. [#BlackGirlProblems] Oh! but there was this one sweet guy we met. Besides the fact he had on a Kango hat and a Adidas warm up jacket (and other factors that are problems I'll withhold), he bought us drinks and was generally democratic about socializing with us in a loud bar. He smoothly gave us his business card. Apparently, he is a chef at the Mandarin Hotel. Side Note: I had a 75 dollar gift card to get a facial there. too! At least, We bonded on that level. He said if we ever come through, that he'd "take care of us." Whatever that means. In my hood, I'm assuming it's free food. The night ended with us playing the let out of Madhatters. Trying to find Heather, the blond chick from the Bahamas, who, after telling two creeps that night to "fall the f*c back," was lingering in the bar doing absolutely nothing. Just being, you know, a drunk and hot girl- as Yezzy would put it. I woke up after a 3 hour nap to catch a 7:25am Amtrak train back to Philly, straight to work.

-Sign, Ruff Rider.

red rooster, nyc

2011-09-21T15:40:00.001-04:00

A friend of mine suggested i post more things about the random, crazy, and glamorous parts of my life.. soo, here goes... anyone who watches Sex and the City, will know the aura a "trendy place" gives off in Manhattan. As part of Morgan's bon voyage dinner, us girls trekked to Harlem to get a taste of what everyone was talking about. Red Rooster has been open for the past couple of months, and since Morg visited the spot with her French Lover, it was only right to go.

It was a brisk fall evening and everyone's fall fashions slash summer get up was in full swing. People were dressed. I mean, New York dressed to impress. We obvi sat outside to peep the scene from inside (where the bar area was crowded with people trying to get a drink, and people waiting hours for a table to eat) and outside (where a panoramic view of, how you say it- "harlem-ites" were visible from our seats just off the corner of 125th and Lennox). Everyone who was someone was in the house. The music was blasting- some neo- techno tunes that spilled out of the restaurant with each opening of the door, and some slim black doormen was greeting people upon entrance in the Rooster. Now that I think about it, I do not remember the decor of the place. Only the bathroom, which was decorated with black and white and sepia toned pictures of, im guessing, the owners family from centuries ago.. Besides the fact that we spent 3 hours there, had 3 cocktails each, and our food took semi- a long time to be served, it was a good time. I ordered the "mac and cheese and greens." My only complaint though is that I was mislead. I thought I was going to get collard greens, but instead I was served a bed of arugula and veggies The bill was less than normal, only about 200 bucks between 4 people... SO, yea, it was another girls night in nyc. And Of course, no separate bills. We don't roll that way.

Some qoutable from the conversation:

"... He had all is stuff in a hotel room, i was like why r u in a hotel room? He said" im on the run." " well i shouldnt be here then.

my nyfw spring 2012.

2011-09-21T15:14:00.001-04:00

Some of my Photography

Luca Luca Photo Courtesy of Luca Luca PR

Jill Stuart

Farah Angsana

Tommy Hilfiger

Buckler Photo by Curran Swint of KRT

Back Stage and Front Row

Rebecca Minkoff

Tommy Hilfiger Men's wear

Timo Wieland, hair by Ouidad

Inside the Tents

Jill Stuart Front Row

View from the top of the Empire Hotel

By Arnab Kar

outfit of the day

2011-08-09T16:05:00.001-04:00

Helmut Lang Textured silk-crepe dress

YSL Gold-plated jade serpent necklace

Ralph Lauren Collection Ceara pointed suede pumps

- I really want a pair of suede purple pumps! clothes via Net-a-Porter

The Modern Day Business Woman

2011-08-09T11:07:00.000-04:00

Not surprisingly, I question my outfit choices everyday at 7am. As I open my closet and dresser drawers, ransacking my unfolded, wrinkled clothing with a mission to put something "presentable together," I constantly ask myself, "what look am I going for?" What is acceptable in the office space- in this day in age for a chic Twenty-Something? Just short of week four of my first full time career - oriented gig, I still haven't grappled and conquered the "office atmospheric" dress code. Are you challenged with this same problem, like me?

All over the world, the modern day woman is changing appearances. We witness this in pop culture, in the economy overflowing with more female executives, presidents, CEOs, CFOs, etc, even from our daily commute to work. Women are in suits; enamored by the "business casual" crowd. Designers have grasped this change by reinventing the way women should look and feel in suits. On runways, we see more fitted suits, extenuating the female curves, and promoting a mysterious professional business women. Calvin Klein, Diane Von Furstenburg, Max Azria, Chanel, and, of course, Ralph Lauren- just to name a few, have all been promoting a campaign that enhances and beautifies a modern woman in the workplace. Take a look at the looks I think are hot, hot, hot- with just the right "appropriateness" for the workplace.

PS. I've been toying with this idea of appropriateness in the workplace. My opinion is that if you look great, smell great, feel great, then what does it matter what you have on- really? I think you have to dress in moderation to what your body type is and what you look like. If you want to wear something tight, and you don't have a body shaper on (and you need one to keep that extra jelly in), than you are setting yourself up for #failure. If you have great legs and want to wear shorts to work, than do it! I mean if you are professional, you are professional. No doubt about it. Feel me? Or, am I just biased about my own appearance and situation?

minimalism.

the new tuxedo

Mix your colors, get away from black

Gucci F/w 2011

Not saying you should wear your stomach out, but if you have abs like this- spread the sexy!

Mary Kate

outfit of the day

2011-07-21T19:36:00.000-04:00

It's disgusting out. No Sweltering. Uh No, unbearable. So, what do I suggest you wear? Light fabric, like silk cotton in earthy hues.

Rag & Bone wide brim hat

Jason Wu silk blouse

Mui Mui silk shorts

I'm becoming a fan of the mid heel. Chloe mirrored heel sandal

THE TENTS

2011-07-21T15:55:00.001-04:00

As if I can't get even more excited about New York Fashion Week, THE TENTS premieres this Saturday! Directed by James Belzer, The Tents documents the making of Fashion Week through the stories of elite fashion designers, notorious industry people, show-goers, and the CFDA - the organization who actually started NYFW in 1993 through IMG. The film has cameos from the fabulous Betsey Johnson to Anna Wintour and Carolina Herrera. It offers a raw inside look at what really goes on during fashion week and why the week is such an significant factor in NY, the world, the economy, and the fashion industry.

The Tents premieres in New York this Saturday, July 23, at 6pm at the SVA Theater! Tickets are only 14 bucks.

Check out the trailers!

The Tents Trailer from Marcus K Jones on Vimeo.

The Tents Trailer 2 from Marcus K Jones on Vimeo.

"What we are selling is a dream, not a garment."

COACH RETURNS TO IT'S ROOTS

2011-07-20T23:24:00.001-04:00

Net-A-Porter and Coach team up to bring back the classic Coach bags we've all wanted. Since Coach's demise of the tacky designs and weird sized messenager bags, the fan base for the brand suffered a dramatic decline in revenue and fashion credibility. It switched from a classy, well dressed demographic of women, to a cheap, confused fashionista. Since June 2011, select classic Coach design are available for purchase exclusively on the Net-a-Porter website. Personally, I scored a classic medium leather shoulder bag in red at a consignment shop in a January. I am pleased that Coach decided to go back to what worked and what every liked. Peep some of the styles below.

my thrifted Coach bag taken with Instagram

Kanye to Design Fall Collection

2011-07-20T23:14:00.000-04:00

Kanye West performs at Coachella 2011 in Celine Women's S/S 2011 collection.

Rumor's have been surfacing around the internet in regard to Kanye not only dabbling in fashion- siting front row at couture shows in Paris and London, and interning at Louis Vitton and The Gap, but he is now designing a women's line! According to The Cut Blog, Central Saint Martin Professor Louise Wilson confirmed that Kanye, in fact, has been consulting with her on different design ideas for a women's line. Not surprisingly, Wilson boasted about how fashionably knowledgeable Kanye is, and that we can expect a professional and well put together story line. She also shares Kanye's financial ties to the universities, supporting the universities with donations. This friendship has been boiling for 2years, and from the looks of it, the relationship should bring about the edgy exciting fashion we've all been waiting for.

Single Ladies Fashion

2011-07-03T03:10:00.010-04:00

I have been religiously watching Single Ladies on VH1 ! Ever since, Stacey Dash, infamously known as Dion from Clueless, made her grand entrance into TV,I was excited! I must admit, the show storyline is cliche and we've heard it all before. But, the characters are so sassy and fresh and full of something (us ,single ladies) we need after a long day. Paired with wine and your bff, this show will be sure to leave you giggling with the multiple one-liners dropped throughout the show, feeling empathetic for the hot blonde chick going through a nasty divorce, and salivating at the mouth from the outfits Val- the disgusting (and relatable) hopeless romantic, wears. I am really surprised you fashion bloggers haven't pick up on her outfits!! Tisk Tisk. Stylist Anthony L. Williams designs and styles the cast of Single Ladies. However, his "big" break was starring on Project Runaway. Now, a fashion director of Macy's, Inc and bouncing around on t.v., this Atlanta native is inspiring many women (and men) to dress bold, confident and sexy at work, during playtime and bed time! So, I compiled some outfits from different show segments a la screen shots from my computadora.

Check out the shots of Val (Stacey Dash)

every career woman needs a white suit- shows you've got style and you are not afraid to get dirty whilst keeping it professional.
you cannot go wrong in a form fitting Dolce & Gabana khaki dress
Green, the color of money. why don't we see this style and color often?
She is making form fitted flirty/whimsical designed dresses her rue la la...

Obsessing Over....La Prairie

2011-06-18T14:09:00.005-04:00

La Prairie Resurfacing Cream. I did a beauty story on best moisturizers for the summer at my previous job ( read on Washington Life ), and the BEST and most EXPENSIVE product I reviewed was La Prairie 3 minute peel and the Resurfacing cream . I lost the 3 min peel in transit back to Philly (i guess un organized moving results in product lost?? so sadd). However, I have been using the cream everyday for the past couple of weeks, and I can really see a difference in the texture and complexion of my skin! It smells great. Plus, it comes in this heavy glass tube with a sliver top and it just looks like its transforming your face! I stopped going to my Dermatologist because I realized the hundreds of dollars a month I was spending on skincare was making my skin worse!(no, it was. Sometimes harsh scrubs on sensitive skin burn and scar your skin. This was exactly my problem.) So, I opted for my own remedy: facials from a place in Chinatown NYC called Kitty's beauty skincare and a good moisterizer. My skin is getting better, due to the fact that school is over and I have absolutely no worries or stress... Now, the next faze of bad skin: the new full time job... to be continued.

product available in all high end department stores.

Lately

2011-06-11T02:11:00.008-04:00

I feel horrible for neglecting my blog- you all! Thanks for showing support throughout the years. I started this blog as a freshman in undergraduate. Now, I am graduated and moving on to the infamous "real world." The truth is "Melspain" has become such a lifestyle and I really do not mind if people prefer to call me by it. The other day I was thinking about my short lived time in Galicia, Spain. I thought about how I felt walking down the stone narrow streets. How I acted and what I thought in the cafeteria of the dormitory I stayed in. Even my reaction to when I saw the little cute cleaning lady at the same outside festival as me- oh! how we danced the night away! ahh... Anyways, enough reminiscing, I am still going to be blogging, in fact, even more! I have so much "free time" on my hands, that sometimes I am perfectly happy with doing absolutely nothing. Here is my tumblr account, its a little addictive. http://melspain.tumblr.com/

Your Fashionista,

Melspain

*yes, I never thought I'd wear chucks to my own commencement ceremony. But, after a long night- which resulted in me waking up hungover 30mins before the ceremony started, and having to trek to the National Mall (yes, my school is ballin'), I put my chucks and gdub sunnies on, proudly. And, I talked my friend Leah into wearing her awesomely thrifted combat boots as well.